It was estimated that around £15m would be spent in Manchester's pubs, bars, shops, restaurants and hotels.

Police appealed for people to enjoy themselves but behave or risk arrest.

Ambulance bosses are also anticipating their busiest ever Mad Friday and have urged people to drink responsibly and avoid the troubles of 2014 after medical crews were sent out to 3,781 incidents across the region.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "We want people to come out and enjoy themselves but, please, take personal responsibility for your actions. One thoughtless act after too much to drink can have disastrous results.

Get the latest news and pictures from Mad Friday in the city centre in our live blog.

Signing off

It hasn’t exactly been a mad Friday, more a tame Friday - or perhaps, a normal Friday.

The proactive police response has stopped many problems this evening it seems, and allowed the night to go off with as fewer hitches as possible.

One last scene from Deansgate Locks from Sam...

And with that, good night, and thanks for following.

03:30Sam Yarwood

3.30am - Hometime for some it seems

03:30Sam Yarwood

These heels were not made for walking...

03:16Sam Yarwood

Mad taxi Friday

02:55Sam Yarwood

Around the region

These are some of the things GMP have had to deal with around the region tonight, as they revealed from the force control room.

- Reports of fighting in Altrincham, approx 30 people involved. One woman unconscious on police arrival

- Drunk man running out into road in North Mcr. Stopped by police, is lost and ‘looking’ for home. In Derbyshire.

- Drunk driver arrested in Bolton, also assaulted a police officer.

- Assault in city centre. Man has been kicked repeatedly but is conscious and breathing

- Drunk driver, potentially three times over the legal limit, arrested in Stockport.

- 10 men trying to force their way into club in city centre. Doormen struggling to cope with violence. Police on scene

- Man in Rochdale pub,threatening to ‘smash the place up’ after refusal to serve him more alcohol.Got taxi home after police arrive

- Aggressive man in Trafford, drunk/lashing out at people trying to help. Turns out is teen whose parents are on way to collect him

02:47Sam Yarwood

Mad Friday just a normal weekend

All in all seems quite a tame night.

No different from any other weekend.

The only thing that seems mad about this Friday is the tempers of a small number of people who have been dealt with by police.

Wind has started to pick up and its getting a bit chilly!!

02:34Sam Yarwood

instant justice

Young man just tried to litter out of a taxi window infront of police officers. Lets just say he was made to get out and pick it up

02:08Sam Yarwood

An assault on Bridge Street has led to the police’s 5th arrest of the night in the city centre.

01:58Sam Yarwood

Well run operation

A message from the Chief Constable, Ian Hopkins

01:30Sam Yarwood

Round-up of the city centre action

Quick round up of Mad Friday here in the city centre.

The smell in the air is mainly cigarette smoke, with a bit of sewerage and increasingly more so kebab and cheesey chips.

It started off quiet but things are certainly getting rowdier as the night goes on.

Deansgate seems to be the place to be, but I’m told it’s picking up in the Northern Quarter too now.

There’s been three arrests, all involving fighting. A few young women also been helped into taxis as well. I feel sorry for the drivers. Poor things were covered in their own sick apparently...

01:27Sam Yarwood

Wider perspective

The Chief Constable of GMP says it’s not been too bad in Manchester. The main GMP account is sharing stories from across the region. Police are being kept busy everywhere.

01:19Sam Yarwood

One in custody

Police have had to intervene and end someone’s night early now. One locked up at Deansgate for assault. Another man kicked out of nearby club too

01:09Sam Yarwood

Where the party's at

If you’re wondering where everyone is, it seems they’re all having a whale of a time down at the Locks.

This is the place to be for the party it seems

Deansgate Locks on Mad Friday (Image: Sam Yarwood)

00:47Sam Yarwood

All is calm... all is bright

The queues are big for town, but it’s (so far) calm (touch wood!)

No arrests since 11pm apparently...

00:38Sam Yarwood

Taxi driver can't keep his door shut

With the police - Just stopped one taxi driver who appears to be having issues with his rear driver’s door. It seems to be opening by itself when he takes a corner... Luckily a nearby club owner has some gaffa tape to hold it shut for now but its an early night for the driver!

00:20Sam Yarwood

What the Safe Haven does

One of the volunteers at the safe haven says she’s had about three customers so far tonight. The facility is designed to help police and emergency services by providing a central place for officers to take people who drank too much or have minor injuries do they can be looked after. It means officers can then get back out on the streets.

Meanwhile, in Manchester tonight...

00:01Sam Yarwood

Safe Haven inside

Here’s a quick look inside the safe haven, ran by volunteers to assist police and paramedics on busy nights

23:51Sam Yarwood

Say cheese!

We’ve got our photographer out and about in town this year, so if you spot him, say hi.

Onwards... to Deansgate

Support if needed

The police have a refuge area tonight for people who may need it, to ensure everyone gets home safely.

The safe haven is open tonight 11pm-5am for those who become vulnerable and need help & support. Nexus Art Café, 2 Dale St, NQ.

23:34Sam Yarwood

In the village

Things are a bit livelier down the Village. Lots of singing!!!

Everyone seems in good spirits but businesses saying it’s no different to a usual Friday/Saturday. Some places sending staff home already. Down at Via on Canal Street it’s free soft drinks for designated drivers!

23:07Sam Yarwood

Out with the boys in blue

A change in mood is expected soon says Chief Insp Gareth Parkin. It’s as the early doors drinkers and diners head home for the evening on the trains and trams and the new crowds arrive. He says its normal for those heading in later to have ‘pre-loaded’ with drinks at home first.

22:29Sam Yarwood

Police chief's thanks

22:23Sam Yarwood

Looking good

Street Pastors, Manchester Street Angels and the Village Angels are also joining us at the briefing over at the town hall. Lee Mackintosh, coordinator for the Village Angels has been volunteering on Mad Friday for the past five years. He says it is either calm or really chaotic, no in between.

21:58Sam Yarwood

Thin blue line

We’re going to be out and about with the police this evening as well, to find out what life’s like from their point of view on one of the busiest night of the year.

21:50Sam Yarwood

Street performers

Wherever you go, you cannot escape the party atmosphere..

At least people seem to be enjoying this guy, and he’s in tune!

21:43Sam Yarwood

PC Rain's out to play

Brollies up! Here comes the rain! This will upset some hairdoos tonight! Perfectly timed as people start to make their way out of the city’s restaurants in search of some Mad Friday festivities.

21:16Sam Yarwood

Mad Friday starting to get mad

Things seem to be getting rowdier down in the city centre. You’ve got police posing for photos with partygoers down at The Hilton and it appears some people have confused an alley on County Street with a toilet!!! Smells like it too!

21:12Sam Yarwood

City centre police updating

The city centre police team are also tweeting the latest through the night... They say they’ve just apprehended two for fighting on Deansgate.

21:07Sam Yarwood

One in custody

The police, while wanting a night free of problems, seem to be taking no chances and booking people into custody for the night. One already in the van for some kind of disturbance.